ADHD waiver criteria

[bmlove]

Hi there! New the forum...DS is interested in attending USMA and will need a waiver for his ADHD. He has the potential to be a recruited athlete so that might help with the waiver process. Anyway, I can see the disqualifying criteria for DODMERB and he'll get automatically DQ'd for his 504 plan and use of meds more than 24 months after his 14th birthday. My question is what is the criteria for USMA to consider a waiver. He's currently a Junior so if he were to go off his meds completely and stop utilizing his 504 plan next week by the Fall of his Senior year that would put him at about 1 year with no meds and no supports. Would this be enough for them to consider a waiver? The coach he spoke with said 12 months but it wasn't clear if it was 12 months from application, medical exam or reporting. How do you go about documenting that he's no longer taking his medication and no longer utilizing his 504 plan? Just letters from his doc and school? Most of the items in his 504 are things that any teacher would give kids if they asked for them anyway...seating up front, notes, extra practice problems, etc. The biggest accommodation is 1.5 time for tests. If he didn't use extra time on his ACTs would that help with the waiver??

Separate but related question...how to medical waivers fit into the equation with civilian prep schools? I know the coach sends a lot of athletes to civilian prep...could he use that time to be off his meds and 504 plan to apply for a waiver or do they have to be medically qualified before being offered prep?

Thanks!

 

[kinnem]

I'm pretty sure he must be off the meds for at least a year and be dealing with academics without any accommodations for that year. I'm sure people more knowledgeable than I will chime in.

 

[bearhunter66]

I do not believe there is a black and white answer.


Off meds is a given but for how long may vary by academy. How one comes off the meds is important - you will need a documented physician and pharmacy history; I would suggest you get your prescribing physician records now as they are very important to DoDMERB and when the waiver authority calls the final decision. Physicians write things down when they do exams, interview patients and prescribe drugs. There is nothing you can do to change past history in a medical record but having the information helps map out an approach to a waiver.

Don't quit meds on your own - likely will be frowned upon. Depending on situation, there is a period of weaning and you definitely want this in the medical record. Helps to have your physician in lock step.

Demonstrated academics while off meds is a given but for how long may vary.

504/IEP is another important consideration as are any special accommodations (e.g. for ACTs or SATs). There will be a certification required by the the Guidance Counselor regardless of what you report.

Finally, a psych interview is a very likely requirement and results will vary. Part of the waiver strategy is to decide about using a doc selected by DoDMERB or your own. There is a specific diagnostic interview that is required (I forget the name).

Bottom line: A waiver is possible but there a huge number of variables.

BH

 

[bmlove]

Thank you both! We've already discuss with his doc about going off his mess. The doc is fully supportive and encouraged it. I will make sure we get documentation from her. We'll talk with the school GC and ensure we also document that the 504 is being rescended.